25 trees will be planted on your behalf for every experience purchased, via our partnership with One Tree Planted.
See more at onetreeplanted.org
Overview
Maasai society have their own lifestyle which differs from other societies in Tanzania. They have their dressing styles, decorations and way of living. They wear the rectangular fabric popularly known as Shuka in Swahili language and which come in different colors. The majority of Maasai women throughout the many Maasai communities live a life of poverty and cultural oppression. Men are the heads of the households and the village. They have control of almost every aspect of life and hold almost all the leadership roles.
Moreover, Maasai women’s main source of income is through selling traditional beaded jewelry. However, due to their vulnerability in lack of education, women do not have a systematic way of financially protecting their own economic interests. In this regard, here is where you can support the Maasai women through a mutually beneficial exchange of information in making informed financial decisions.
In its essence, most of the women from Maasai tribes devote their time to milking, taking care of calves, and domestic work. This kind of labor is currently the priority allowed for women as there is less emphasis on education and community engagement which might allow women to have more options for sustainable development in the future.
The majority of the women in the village do not speak English, as such, you will be supervised on the ground by a locally trained coordinator to ensure there is a smooth communication between the women and yourself. The main goal is to facilitate Maasai women with a view to prepare their future that will guide them to have fruitful life into their old age.
Due to the remote location of this program and limited local transportation, you may be required to stay the first night in Monduli. Additionally, placement is in a Maasai village in Arusha, but to increase immersion you may get spread across various villages.
Objectives
- To help Maasai women to have income generating activities in order to cover costs for common service for their kids like pens, exercise books food and security.
- To assist the women to contribute to community development through their active participation.
- Strengthening the group and initiating subgroup projects to find and provide solutions to the challenges faced by the women.
- To mobilize and encourage women to enroll their kids (boys and girls) to schools and prevent early marriage.
- To facilitate workshops on Saving, loans and financial literacy for the group.
Impact
Volunteer experiences have a direct and positive impact on local communities by injecting money into the local economy through the purchase of food, transportation, and tourism activities. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the comunity and make a difference in the world. Depending on the type of volunteer experience you are interested in, your time can be spent improving educational resources and opportunities, providing medical services to underserved communities, or promoting environmental conservation and sustainable farming techniques.
1% of gross sales will be donated to 1% for the Planet-approved charities via our partnership with 1% for the Planet.
See more at onepercentfortheplanet.org
Location
Arusha, Tanzania
You will be staying in a very simple, traditional, family home in a Maasai Village in Arusha. Located many kilometers away from the paved main road which leads into the nearest large city Arusha, with many smaller towns along the way. This village is quite a bit off the beaten path. The terrain is rough and scantily covered by grass, bushes, and trees. In the dry season inhabitants of the village must walk several kilometers to fetch water for cooking, drinking and occasionally for bathing.
Itinerary
Saturday/Sunday - Arrival
We will meet you at JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport) or ZNZ (Abeid Amani Karume International Airport) in one of these time slots:
- Option A - Saturday: 10:00
- Option B - Saturday: 14:00
- Option C - Sunday: 10:00
- Option D - Sunday: 14:00
Monday - Friday
- Breakfast
- Meet the Women of the group and provide insight into healthy measures to cater for their children and themselves
- Discuss sustainable projects with the Maasai women to be financially independent
- Lunch
- Discuss the importance of education with the Maasai women
- Engage with the women in different ways of mobilising their own resources (Table Banking and Saving Strategies)
- Dinner
Please keep in mind that in the village things are done on an as-needed basis. This is just an example of what your week might look like during your homestay, but activities may change depending on weather, community needs, ceremonies or other circumstances. Your flexibility and ability to adapt to changes in your new surroundings well will be of great benefit during this amazing experience.
Saturday - Departure
Leave the accommodation on Saturday morning. We will arrange transport to the main road where you can get local vans (dala-dala) departing throughout the day to Arusha. Change to taxi to arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport (3.5 hours) for earliest flights Saturday Evening
Inclusions
- Shared Accomodation
- All meals included
- Arrival Transfer (included with 2 wk+ trips)
- Free beverages
- Wifi in public areas
- Departure Transfer
Options
More Information
Requirements
- minimum english levelBasic
- CRB RequiredOn signup
- passport copy requiredNo
- resume copy requiredNo
Other Requirements
- Modest clothing i.e. covering the knees and shoulders
- There is little or no electricity so flashlight, batteries, solar charger and a sleeping bag may be needed
- Sturdy shoes for the long walks you will take part in
- The village sometimes gets cold in the evening, so make sure to pack some warm clothes
- Mosquito and insect repellent is a highly recommended
- Alcohol based hand sanitisers, as there is limited access to water within the village
Food
Meals are inspired by the local cuisine and consist of a lot of corn, rice, potatoes, and bananas. Beef, goat meat, beans, and a few green leafy vegetables will help to add nutrients to your daily meals as well. There are no shops within walking distance, so if you are a picky eater or feel that you may not be amenable to the local style meals, please feel free to bring supplemental food items with you from Monduli or Arusha, with the understanding that there is no refrigeration available.
Accommodation
Expect a very ‘back to nature’ approach during your stay here! You will live as a visitor in a homestay residence which may include the traditional house made from wood, sticks, cow dung and clay-soil. The Maasai generally live without electricity, and though some houses have recently acquired solar cells, you should not expect it. There is no running tap water and no western toilets. You can expect squatting toilets will be available and the occasional showering is done by using a bucket. All participants are expected to be environmentally aware and to use all resources with extreme restraint, especially water, paper, and electricity. This accommodation is in a Maasai village in Arusha, but to increase immersion you may get spread across various villages.
Cancellation Policy
Bookings can be amended and cancelled 30 days before the program start date without any costs. Bookings that are cancelled less than 30 days before the program start date will be charged the first week of the booking.
